jense822 Loc: Marion, WI

Hi all,
I am looking to buy my first SLR and wanted some opinions/ideas before I make my purchase. I will be shooting mostly Wildlife, Motor Sports, and landscape.
I'd like something that has a fast shutter speed and a quick continuous shooting rate. I have been seriously considering the Sony alpha a55 or 57 since they are a little older so they can be obtained relatively inexpensively and they have most of the features I want (continuous shooting at 10FPS...etc).
Any thoughts? suggestions?
Thanks,

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sony is about to release the a58, haven't seen a full spec list yet though.

billybaseball Loc: Bel Air MD

Nikon d5200

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Jense, to best answer your question, it would be helpfull to know your budget and previous experience with cameras. While generally speaking, a low end DSLR might not be quite responsive enough for motorsports photography or weather resistant enough for serious wildlife shots, if you are moving directly from point and shoot/bridge in Auto setting to DSLR, getting "too much" camera can be like a sailing enthusiast moving directly from a Sunfish to a 50 foot ocean racer. As an example, a relative of mine whose photographic experience was limited to travel zooms and a Panasonic FZ35 travel zoom came into some money and treated himself and his wife to an Alaskan wildlife cruise. One week before departure he dropped 4K on a Canon MK2 full frame DSLR and a couple of L glass lenses. After missing or botching several shots by fumbling with menus and settings, he put it in full auto. When he got back, I preferred the shots taken with the FZ35 he brought along as a backup. As such, an entry to mid level DSLR might be a better choice with far fewer settings to wade through. My advice would be to resist the temptation to buy the latest model. For one thing, entry DSLRs seem to have the highest incidence of manufacturing/design defects. They are introduced on a yearly basis leaving insufficient time to weed out problems. They also share the same complicated designs as their higher priced siblings while being massed produced at a frantic pace to meet a price point. By getting a 1 or 2 model, most of the bugs have hopefully been weeded out. You also save a bundle buy buying last year's "Dinosaur", leaving you money left over for lenses and other accessories. This past Black Friday, I picked up a Canon Rebet T3 with the 18-55 Kit lens and a 75-300 zoom lens for $500.00 I think the image quality is excellent. You can pick this same model up with just the kit lens for under $400.00 if you look hard enough. Want more information, check out the review on Cameradebate.com. They praised it for having "just enough" settings, along with it's low light/high ISO performance. With a Good fast lens, it just might do for motorsports. If you need weatherproofing, on the otherhand look elsewhere. If your budget is limited, check out the Fuji XS-1 bridge camera. It has a larger 2/3 sensor, is built to last, and has weathersealed against rain and snow.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Look at the specs online for different cameras, 10 fps is a impressive burst mode.

jense822 Loc: Marion, WI

first thing budget: $400-$900
ok as far as expirience I know my way around an entry level DSLR. I have had access to a EOS T3i for a while which is why this sudden interest in purchasing a camera from myself. I was thinking between these cameras:

EOS T4i- 18mp, many resolutions to pick from, 5fps continuous.

Sony SLT-a57- 16mp, 12fps continuous.

Nikon D5100- 16mp, 4fps continuous.

I know there are many more aspects I just didn't want (need to) type them out. These units are virtually the same when compared side by side. They have minor differences that set one over the other, but when it's all tallyed they come out pretty much even.

Is there any other cameras that might fit well into this group that I should consider? hopefully this clears up my question to allow for a more clear answer.

Thanks All!

cobraryk Loc: Port Credit, Ontario, Canada

Hi Jense822
the only advise I would mention is to be aware of lenses that are available before investing in any brand. People who shoot wildlife are always looking for more reach.All the cameras that you mentioned can take great pictures,but sometimes the brand ecosystem is important for future purchases
Good Luck which ever way you decide

Reddog Loc: Southern Calif

Stick with canon,Nikon or Sony. All third parties make lens and accessories for these brands!

Radioman Loc: Ontario Canada

****************
My recommendation is that you buy the camera body, and pick the lens you want as a separate purchase or as an 'optional upgrade' instead of the standard 'kit lens'.

billybaseball Loc: Bel Air MD

Nikon just released the 5200 model so you should be able to get the 5100 for a good price. I have the 5000 and really like it. I have great pics of the kids playing baseball. The ball frozen in mid air, action shots of the swing in burst mode. I get good shots at NASCAR events also. Cars going 190 mph past me and I track the car and shoot in burst mode a get clear sharp pics of the cars.

jense822 Loc: Marion, WI

Thanks everyone this continues to be very helpful! It's really cool to get some consumer help from experienced buyers :)
I think I may go play with some of the Cameras mentioned this weekend!

BobInNJ Loc: In NJ, near Phila. Pa

While you are at it, check out Sony's mirrorless NEX series. It is MUCH smaller than traditional DSLR cameras, and it produces amazing quality. I bought it at Xmas, along with Sony's 55mm and wide angle pancake lens. Traded in my Sony a-100 and miss my 10-20mm Sigma wide angle. If you are into low light pictures, pano, video, and even 3D,
this will work for you.Simple point and shoot works really well too. Look it up on dpreview or any of the camera review sites . Enjoy!

leatherhelmets Loc: Center Conway, NH

Jense,

I think you hit the nail on the head...."These units are virtually the same when compared side by side. They have minor differences that set one over the other, but when it's all tallyed they come out pretty much even."

You've narrowed it down the the competitors in your price range so now it really just comes down to personal choice. Some of us are hard core Canon folks, some Nikon...etc. Now you need to decide what feels best to you. Close your eyes and see what your mind tells you belongs in your camera bag.

Good Luck.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

I would highly recommend the Nikon D5100 because you can get it for $575-600 right now and you would still have money left over for another lens. DxO Labs rates the sensor of the D5100 higher than the other two you've listed (it's even the same sensor that's found in the highly rated D7000 as well as the Pentax K-5!). AND, I own the camera myself and guarantee that you cannot go wrong with this GREAT Nikon camera. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

RaydancePhoto

The Glory in buying Sony is that you can use the older Minolta lenses. I used to be a Canon shooter, switched to Sony, and I can tell you some of the old Minolta lenses are as good as Canon L glass, and you can purchase them for a song. I am very happy with Sony/Minolta and will not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Use this site: http://www.dyxum.com/ for reviews on Sony and Minolta.